My Annual Hurrican Preparedness Rant

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whirlcool

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 29, 2005
Messages
9,618
Location
Just North Of Houston, Texas
Well folks, it's that time of year again for those of use who live in hurricane prone areas. Why a rant? You'll see:

The madness usually starts when a Tropical Storm or Hurricane is spotted somewhere in the Atlantic. Then our newscasters start going beserk with the news. Hurricane Dean isn't even to Jamacia yet and our news stations are acting like the damn thing is on our doorstep! Things like "Coming OUR Way, Look Out!" and "It should be HERE by Thursday!"
Fact is, even though Hurricane forecasting is the best it has even has been, the truth is that they don't know where the hell the thing will end up until 72-48 hours before landfall. I guess they want to instill the sense of importance to everyone.

What is the effect of these "news" broadcasts? It stirs people up into an absolute frenzy! I witnessed the first of this today!

Soccer Moms in their Suburbans/Expeditions with bug eyed expressions on their faces start running red lights screaming "Save The Children!" (I hadn't seen THAT one this time, however I did see it during Rita 2 years ago!)

I went to Home Depot this morning to buy a new garden hose. People were already in there buying up the plywood. One guy asked where the clips are to hold the wood to your window and was told that they were ALREADY sold out and no more were coming in until next season! Jeesh, the storm isn't even in the Gulf yet!

Another guy was loading plywood onto his cart. He had 5 sheets, and his wife was screaming at him "Get Extra! You Never know when we'll need more!" Ever heard of someone else, lady?

The grocery stores are mobbed. All the bread and water is gone already. Hey, this storm is still at least a week away, if it comes at all!

What's funny/sad is that once it is determined where the storm will end up, people start coming back with all the supplies they bought, but never used. They ask for a refund! Next storm, the whole mess starts up again! It's like you see the same faces over and over again panicing and running around like wild women!

So how do WE prepare for Hurrcane Season? Well, a co worker told me a long time ago that the way to do it is to start in early spring. Each time you go to the grocery store pick up a few extra items for hurricane season. Then if a hurricane doesn't come during the season, just use up the supplies during the winter. This way if a storm does come your way, you can sit and relax while the rest of the world goes absolutely nutty! The first year we moved here, we made our plywood covers for our windows and bought our hurricane clips. We have a camp stove with plenty of propane cylinders and plenty of batteries bought weeks ago. I feel we are well prepared. What about the others?
Comments?
 
I'm not in the hurricane

region, but tornadoes and blackouts and blizzards have happened here in my corner of Ohio.

I do the same thing...the buy a few extra canned/packaged goods.

Oh, and flashlights (electric torches) in every room, yes, even the bathrooms.

More importantly, I just don't watch @&@!! TV news. If the city's siren sounds, and it isn't a Wednesday (test days, twice a month, one daytime, one evening), I turn on my battery powered radio. TV "news" is not good for my peace of mind.

I read the papers, and listen (most days) to "All Things Considered," and I am not (as) hysterical as when I watched tv news all the time.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
OK I'll bite...

and play the devil's advocate here...

At least these people are trying to be prepared for the worst, and what they are doing will help to limit storm damage to their homes. I guess that's better than just sitting back on the front porch while the hurricane blows their house away, and then they ask the government to make it all good again?

Still, greedy people aren't nice and sounds like some of these people are greedy, or at least a tad bit too selfish. And the smart thing to do would have been to stock up on survival rations, camp cook stove/fuel, etc., and things like plywood months in advance, so they wouldn't have to dash about madly at the last minute. I'd probably invest in an inflatable boat, too.

Speaking of which, Costco has had a 5 gallon bucket packed with survival rations for the past few months. I looked at the "menus" and was a bit unimpressed; plus I have plenty of canned and dry goods should the need ever arise. But it's basically a good idea for those who live in tight quarters and want to be prepared for the Big One.

Plus a Cat 5 hurricane is nothing to sneeze at. It can do tremendous damage. I'm expecting the oil companies to follow suit and start jacking up the prices of gasoline as soon as the first oil rig starts to sway.
 
I already have my plywood - cut and fitted it several years ago. Takes a couple of hours to put up (Rita was my first test and it worked great). Gas is the cheapest its been here all year, so I filled all of my 5 gal. cans last Wednesday - they'll get used for mowing next spring and summer. I bought a standby generator after Rita and basically never installed it even though I ran gas line for it last year. I'm doing it now, should have done it long ago. All of my insurance is up to date, I have propane for my grill, and I have gas appliances (they didn't turn gas off during Rita) so I'm pretty much set. I'll evacuate if anything category 3 or bigger comes.

You are right about people panicking. This thing (Dean) is projected to stay south due to a developing high pressure over east central Texas, but everyone here is in a tizzy: I know some who have already made hotel reservations (didn't do any good for Rita, the hotels basically gave the rooms to the first people to arrive). Some are cutting plywood, bottled water was sold out at Wal-Mart last night. Guess what? I have several gallon milk jugs. Tap water is free, and the water in Port Arthur is actually really good.

My annual preparations include getting all important papers and family photos into one or two boxes. That way I can grab them, the pets, the computer tower, the guns (so looters don't get them), and scram.
 
David,

You sound extremely prepared. One suggestion: if you haven't already, add some gas stabilizer to those 5 gallon cans. Nowadays with ethanol added to more and more of our gas, the gas is less stable and more prone to growing bacteria and going "bad". I've had good luck up to now with just storing gas as is, but have started adding Stabil or other preservatives just in case. I use the gas to run the lawnmower, chipper/shredder, hedge trimmer, weed whacker, etc. Don't have a generator yet, although I should probably get one, as the fish in the pond more or less depend upon the circulation pump working, and of course for the chest freezer and fridge. I do have a propane grill with a side burner, plus various types of camp stoves, so I'm set for cooking even if natural gas is cut (which is quite possible after a big quake).
 
You GO, Whirlcool!

All I can say to your rant is, "Amen to that!"

I live with a TV news junkie. All day, every day, I am bombarded with "The Dow is soaring!" "The bottom has dropped out of the Dow!" "Your identity at risk!" "Gang-related shootings on the rise!" "Local thieves ram through jewellery store window with pickup truck!" "Russia's new nuclear threat!" "New Al-Qaeda video- the latest threat to America at eleven!" "Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Nicole Ritchie all arrested for DUI on the same day!" "Avalanches in Austria- could they happen HERE?" "The ten most stolen cars!" "The ten most dangerous intersections!" "New research shows eggs are bad for your heart!" "New research shows eggs are good for your heart!" "Eighteen guns confiscated at local high school!"

I am absolutely sick of this "If it bleeds, it leads" mentality displayed by our media. I do everything I can to avoid being in the room when my housemate has TV news on, though it's not always possible. It is stomach-turning, it is nerve-wracking, and it is getting in the way of the addressing of truly serious problems that face our nation. Our media have us so wrapped up in Paris Hilton's didoes that no one seems to remember that we have serious issues of political corruption, poverty, homelessness, joblessness, trade imbalances, and infrastructure, to name just a few.

As John Stossel says, "Give me a break!" Especially from John Stossel.

* close rant mode *
 
Having lived in Florida for the last 18 years, I've seen it a few times. I have everything I need here already....oil for the lanterns, batteries, and since our water is quite good, a bathtub and jugs full of water is a really easy thing to get. There is always bleach and canned goods in the house, so no biggie there. And about 15 minutes away is Florida Carbonic, always with a big supply of dry ice for whoever needs it after the storm, thanks to their own generator and ice making capacity of many tons per day. During hurricane Charley, I bought one block for the fridge and one for the freezer and nothing spoiled. My house is all gas, so cooking, water heating, and BBQ is no problem. We lived for 7 days with no electric in 2004. But we did just fine. All the neighbors pitched in. It can always be worse, but being inland, we don't have the flooding problems the coastal areas can have. Since I have gas, we hooked my neighbor's generator up to my washer and dryer so everyone could do laundry, epecially those with kids and everyone came here to shower. It was soggy and hot out, but hey, people managed years ago before air conditioning came along. The people on the coast had it much worse than those of us 60 miles inland.
 
Rich:

You brought up some vary valid points about this subject. They are appreciated. The people in this area are kind of known for being snobby, and having an overabundant sense of self importance. I think this is a contributing factor to this type of behavior.

David:

I didn't think that anyone else would notice this stuff this early in the game. You seem very well prepared. Don't you wish everyone cared this much? Plus you also made quite a few important points that a lot of most people don't even think about.
 
Sudsmaster

Good idea on the fuel stabilizer. I haven't had problems in the past, but that will change as gas is reformulated.

Whirlcool

A little forethought really saves time and stress, you won't see me panicking in the stores. I keep a lot of canned soups on hand for using in various recipes, but they can be eaten as is. Plus, I still have stuff in my freezer which will be powered by the generator. Its a 1949 Coldspot, so it'll take four days or more to thaw if the power goes out. It was still cool inside when I came back from Rita 7 days after it hit.

The Sunday before Rita hit my area, I filled gas cans and topped off my truck, my daily driver Olds, and my '58 Buick which is the car I evacuated in (won't do that this year, it needs too much work). I kinda felt that Rita would impact our area, but didn't think we would evacuate (by Wednesday that had changed). While everyone sat on the roads Thursday, I put my plywood up - I'm just about the only one on my block that bothered. I started loading the car Thursday night, and left at 6am Friday. Didn't hit traffic for 100 miles, but took nearly three hours to go the last 30 miles.
 
We went out to a BBQ tonight and on the highways down here we have these electronic text signs that usually warn you of Amber alerts or traffic tie ups. Tonight it said "Major Hurricane Now Forming In The Gulf" then "Fill Your Tanks NOW!".

Hmm, I figured something new must have developed. Then I go to the computer at home and go to our companies dispatch website which has all the weather you will ever need. Nothing. Just Dean out there in the Carribean. What't this? Think about it "Major Hurricane now forming?" A hurricane isn't major UNTIL it has already formed! What numb nuts put THAT message out there? The idiocy is just endless! Just another way to panic people.

I certainly do admire people who prepare well in advance. But why so few? You'd think the majority of people would know better.

During Rita I flew back into town and while we were coming into IAH from about 5,000 ft you could see all the freeways were at a complete standstill from horizon to horizon! It was a sight to behold! I'll never forget it!

Fortunately, we are so far inland (100 miles from the coast) and on some of the highest ground in the Houston area (38ft).
I'm not that worried about it.

Tonight the news was very meekly reporting that since there is a high pressure area forming over north Louisiana Dean will get pushed into Mexico and we really don't have anything to worry about.

Let the retail refunding begin!
 
When I used to live and work in the Wash DC area-I hated it when the Bozo newspeople on the TV,Radio and newspapers urged people to get bread,potty roll,eggs,and water when snowstaroms were to enter the DC area-and those folks PANICKED when they saw snowflakes-out to the stores for those things and if you REALLY neded them they weren't there-also when the DC area had a couple of bad snowstorm and the stores started carrying 10Hp and bigger snowblowers-most were only 5Hp.then during the spring if you needed a honkin snowblower you could get one CHEAP at the yard sales at that time.That was the only time I had seen large snowblowers in the Wash DC area.
 
Pensacola Florida - Ivan 2004

This is how we prepare after being directly hit in 2004 by Ivan. Lock the doe, lock the damn doe and go. That easy.

Don't worry bout all dat. Git sum gaz and haul azz.

Bye Bye

S.
 
Good information here. Thanks for the experienced, credible, calm, and knowledgable voices.

A "good hurricane" is a good distraction from other more significant items, dont-cha-know.

The fed, in an unscheduled meeting cut interest rates on Friday. Cutting rates in an unscheduled meeting hasn't been done since like 1980. Then, as they have done before tried to shore up the stock market by buying securites in a lame effort to shore up the quickly deteriorating credit market. Um, in a free market, which is what the stock market is SUPPOSED to be, the Fed or other large groups should not be buying for the purpose of implying strength. Especially at tax payers expense.

lol, earlier in the 2000s, when bush jr. would give a press conference during trading hours, his team would be working behind the scenes to buy thus causing the ticker to soar, no doubt with our tax money, in a sublime effort to try and create confidence. Then when the conference was over, suddenly the market would sink. hmmm. ?

House prices are sinking. The economy is in recession, hopefully heading for depression. Jobless claims are up.
the pres. funnelled tax $s to benefit the gop. scandal?
Iraq? lol

karl rove exiting the white house? but why?
tony snow leaving? again, why? I'm sure they "want to spend more time with their families". lol. Oh, these people suck.

Yes, we need distractions. the bike riding, toast eating, coke snorting alcoholic pres. has already declared a disaster in texas. (that we knew) but this is in regard to a hurricane that hasn't even happened.

perhaps we can start scaffolding on a New York skyscraper on fire and claim the entire building is on fire. distraction, distraction.

Come on, we need panic, distraction, Ah, I mean, panic.!

Don't get me wrong, I love America. I was born and grew up here. I am more American than anyone here.
But when "the system" has been so screwed over by corruption, lies, and fraud as it has in the last 7 years, you hope for ultimate failure. Because that is when changes happen.
Corruption, Lies, and Fraud, didn't start with g. bush jr., but what a face and persona to stick to the definition. lol.

I've heard even, bush SR. has been taking flack for that little number. OK, OK. back to our regularily scheduled propaganda owned programming.
panic, panic, look over here, look over there. paris hilton, blah, blah, only watch fox (faux) news., panic, hurricane, ugly clothing styles, granite counter tops and suv's, pointless competitiveness. look over here, look over there, panic.

lol

 
IMO its become a whole new world where weather events occur. Places in the Middle East experienced a tornado this summer (as did Brooklyn). Floods in Great Britain. We had Katrina a few years ago. The point is that what used to be bad weather events have escalated and now have the potential for those to be much more powerful and catastrophic in nature than ever before. Stands to reason with the global warming that is ocurring. Especially the Gulf of Mexico that is now a few degrees warmer in the summer than it has ever been. Just provides more fuel for the hurricanes and almost guarantees they will be vicious. The rules have now changed, and those who live close to our Gulf Coast (and even the Atlantic seaboard) had better beware!
 
This brings back nightmares of the evacuation of Rita 2005

Good tips from everyone. It's unbeleivable how many folks don't prepare well ahead of time. (I'll withhold from posting my true thoughts)

Even though they are calling for Dean to hit south Texas....it does not make me feel any calmer. One is going to hit us dead on, sooner or later. We are way overdue, and I remember Carla & Alicia well.

If it's like when Rita was "supposidly" heading here, alot of the illegals went back to Mexico...maybe they will go back and not be able to get back in...LOL (wishful thinking)

My motto is ALWAYS be prepared. ;-) I have great survival instincts. Lord knows I had enough training through work.

Friday, we had a Mediterranean Luncheon. Cleaning up afterwards had it's benefits. I took all the sterno from the warming tables. (they were only used for 30 mins, so they are all pretty full)

When I went camping in Colorado, I bought items for the trip and just in case of Hurricane season. So I have been stocked for months.

When Erin was heading up to the South Texas gulf, last week, I-45 from Galveston area, looked like Rita, all over again...everyone hauling (_Y_) to leave. And she was just a tropical storm.

Lessons Learned (???)from Sept. 2005 - The Houston area now has designated Evacuation Zones by zip code...My zip is 2nd in line to evacuate. Do they honestly think folks will obey when they are suppose to leave? Nope. Panic will ensue again!

The nightmare begins again....time to ^up^ the meds for the next week...LOL

Then I just won't G.A.S.!
 
Well, you guys are actually a bit lucky that your major disasters tend to come with plenty of warning. Hurricanes, for example. Floods. Tornadoes are a bit different, I guess, sometimes only minutes warning. But the quakes out here strike without any warning, so we have to be prepared all the time, and also build and furnish our homes and offices with an eye towards safety: no objects hung on wall over head of bed, for example. Water and food and survival gear stocked 12 months/year. The list goes on.
 
Tony Snow

He said he is leaving for financial reasons. He only makes
$165,000 or $185,000 or something in that vicinity... I wonder
if he gets to take his federal health insurance with him.
 
Sandy:

I think a lot of what we hear/see on the news is all connected with one thing: RATINGS! I think you hit the nail on the head!
The more panic you generate, the more likely people are to watch YOUR station at news time.
I think this all started back with the OJ trial. People couldn't get enough of it. (Oh, Puh-leeze, with a Joan Rivers accent) The news outlets are out there looking for the next OJ magnitude story. Diasters are profitable and good for ratings!

Erik:
You point out another distinct possiblility. If we worry about the storms, we won't care what Bush is doing in the White House. At least for awhile.

Maytagmom:

You are so right. Do you honestly think people will evacuate by zipcode? Hell no! They'll just do as they please and we'll see the same thing over again! Just as you said. The only way that would work is to add jail time for people who don't follow the rules. And then that might not be enough of a deterent.

You are right about us being overdue. Carla came in 1961. Alicia came in 1983. And that was 24 years ago. This is even more reason for people to prepare NOW instead of waiting for the inevitable to come our way.

It is almost a luxury that we have the ability to know ahead of time about these kinds of things. As some of you have pointed out with a Tornado, you have only minutes warning and with an Earthquake, there is no warning at all!
 

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